Food Not Bombs

Officially, Food Not Bombs is a global movement that takes vegan and vegetarian food that would have been thrown away out of the waste stream and serves it up for free in public spaces to protest war, poverty and the destruction of the environment.

When a friend of mine approached me recently about starting one here in Maine, I was excited, but unsure of how I could contribute with Josephine having to come along everywhere I go. Generally, protests, phone-banks, canvassing, and direct action aren't necessarily 'mother/child-friendly'. I decided to commit anyway, telling myself that I would do what I could to contribute and accept what I cannot do.

It's been amazing and Josephine has become our mascot.

A very pregnant Ashley, me, with sidekick Jo on my back, and Steph.

Personally, what I love about Food Not Bombs, (other than the obvious pro-family atmosphere and chance to cook, eat and share good vegetarian food) is that it is such a positive way to take action. Sometimes, anti-war efforts mostly yelling, complaining and self-righteous intellectual talk. As a member of Food Not Bombs, I am objecting to negative and unfair policies and attitudes and deciding for myself to put out positive energy. I am taking positive action to make a really difference in my community, which is something we all can do, no matter how much money we have.